Super 8 worker competes in international contest

by Melissa Wilson

SBJ Staff

Becky Mullett never thought making a bed would get her anything but a paycheck from the Super 8 Motel, where she works as a housekeeper. In fact, her queen-sized waterbed at home is often unmade.

However, when Mullett placed third in the Super 8 regional bed-making contest in Wichita, Kan., she won plane tickets to the Mall of America and the chance to win $25,000 in an international contest held in Minneapolis May 22.

Mullett, who has worked at the Super 8 since it opened at 65 Bypass and East Battlefield in 1995, practiced for her regional third-place finish on the motel's queen-sized beds.

"I'm trying to find a full-sized bed that I can practice on because that's what size they'll use at the competition," Mullett said.

The bed-making competition is judged on speed, accuracy, consistency and neatness. Making more than two mistakes or touching the bed after finishing is grounds for disqualification.

"The corners have to be mitered; you can use whatever style you want, but it has to be the same on both sides," Mullett said. Mullet's time in the regional contest was about three minutes. The time to beat for the $25,000 is about 2 minutes, 15 seconds, according to Super 8 general manager Don Ogden.

"I enjoy it, but it's very nerve-racking," Mullett said.

Ogden said the bed-making contest began as a promotion for the housekeepers, and the competition has been held in Minneapolis for quite a while.

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